Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson: Pushing the 1st Amendment Marilyn Manson is a name that has
been a thorn in the side of society as a moral and ethical issue for the parents
and kids of the generation “X”. He is one of the most controversial artists in
the world today, one who chooses to express himself in a way that provokes in
the most extreme methods possible. His methods are bizarre and shunned by most
of society, as it cannot fathom what he is trying to accomplish. However,
further research into his life and beliefs will explain that he is sending a
very strong message to the world. A message that is firmly protect by the First
Amendment in the American Constitution. This freedom has unleashed a number of
technical issues, as well as indirect damage done by the people who would
interpret his message incorrectly. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of
speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association (assembly). It also
protects the rights of citizens to worship as they please and the right not to
be forced to support someone else’s religion. The First Amendment also provides
for the right to assemble and to demand a change in government policies. (Bill
of Rights, Encarta 1999 CDROM). Manson uses this freedom fully, getting his
message across by any means possible, mainly to the younger generation. These
younger generations are more accepting of his attitude and beliefs, partly due
to the fact that teens are more susceptible to mass persuasion and are easily
confused. This has helped Manson conjure up a large loyal following of
disgruntled teens that are called “Mansonites.” How Manson gets his message
across has been the center of controversy revolving around the US ever since
Manson’s rise to stardom. His moral, ethical and religious actions have been
questioned repeatedly. His ethics may be a representation of how disorientated
American society has become in the late 1990s. Alternatively, Manson may simply
be showing that the media can be used to manipulate the American mind more
easily than their own values at heart. “God is in the TV” (Rock is Dead) Manson
screams.
Now, how did this man become what he is today? Where did he form his
views about life and society, which would ultimately lead to his notorious
antics and cause millions of American parents and city council members to want
to cancel his concerts, against the First Amendment? (“Politicians Rally against
Manson”). Marilyn Manson is the band name and the stage name of lead singer
Brian Warner, who formed the band in 1989 and whose apparent business savvy and
flair for controversy turned into a success. Using androgyny, satanic images and
themes of rebellion and death, Manson irked bystanders and proved that
outrageous rock was still a viable form of entertainment. (“Manson: Rock Star”)
The name Marilyn Manson comes from a pseudonym of Marilyn Monroe and Charles
Manson, two opposites of society. (Manson, 85) Ever since Marilyn Manson’s
release of his album Anti-Christ Superstar, many people have associated and
accused him of influencing teen suicide and Satanism, just because he acted,
dressed and performed as an individual brought up by society’s mistakes.
(“Marilyn Manson”) It is this kind of media and political attention that Manson
has received to become such a big name in controversy in the last decade. It all
depends in how one takes his remarks and viewpoints. If no attention were paid
to Manson’s antics, there would be no controversy; therefore, his entire essence
of being the AntiChrist may have been created by society itself. “On moral
responsibility: Kids see more from their parents than they would anyone else.
They’re the ones who should set the example.” (“Manson on Manson”) This is
Manson’s criticism of all the parents who would criticize him. Parents are the
biggest complainers about Manson, partly because they are of the older
generation and partly because they can use Manson as a scapegoat for problems
with teenage crime and suicide in the US. “We talked about the kids inside, the
tragedy of hopelessness, the blatant rebellion against God and Manson’s part in
the whole thing.” (Benson, It’s only Rock N Roll..NOT). This is where the
conflicts within the First Amendment come into play.
